Does every pre-amp have phantom power?

[Rossi]

Neve, as already I reminded you in another thread, this is a *homerecording* forum. This particular thread is about a beginner's question. It really doesn't matter how the MX8000 compares to a console twenty times the cost. A lot of young guys get scared by statements like yours and think they'll make a big mistake buying a Behringer mixer (or Mackie, whatever). But nobody starts out on a Neve, SSL or vintage Telefunken, or did you? To a beginner, a big console is of no more use than an MX8000. Without a fair amount of knowledge any console will sound shitty. The MX8000 can be worked to pretty decent results. I wish I could have had one when I started out instead of that Yamaha 4-track recorder I bought.

 

[Meshuggah]

Let me know how it goes, Student.
Don't forget the T1953 tho... after all, it's 2 preamps for 233E...

good luck

 

[Neve]

Neve, as already I reminded you in another thread, this is a *homerecording* forum. This particular thread is about a beginner's question. It really doesn't matter how the MX8000 compares to a console twenty times the cost. A lot of young guys get scared by statements like yours and think they'll make a big mistake buying a Behringer mixer (or Mackie, whatever). But nobody starts out on a Neve, SSL or vintage Telefunken, or did you? To a beginner, a big console is of no more use than an MX8000. Without a fair amount of knowledge any console will sound shitty. The MX8000 can be worked to pretty decent results. I wish I could have had one when I started out instead of that Yamaha 4-track recorder I bought.

I started out on a Soundtracs similar to the MX8000, I was actually thrown into a 24-track analog studio without really knowing shit! And I had two weeks to learn to handle it before the first band came in to record ten songs. That was scary.......
Sorry if I offended anyone with my B-bashing, I`ll try to calm it down a couple of nothces.

Amund

 

[Student]

tack so mycket

... the T1953 tho... after all, it's 2 preamps for 233E...

good luck [/B][/QUOTE]


Meshuggah,

I didn't realise that from looking at the T- site, but you are right, the manufacturer site shows 2 channels.

So, does that mean that you can record:

A. 2 single channels like guitar and vocal
or B. two channel recorded guitar for stereo sound
or C. stereo input

whatever you want to do?


Is the 'low noise' as low as they say it is?

Student

 

[Rossi]

Student, the Tube Ultragain has two channels for stereo or dual mono recordings. It doesn't have a compressor, though. It ist just a mic pre with just the basic functions such as gain, lowcut, phase reverse, and phantom power. The only extra is the tube blend feature. So no EQ, no compressor etc. The noise floor is pretty decent, no problems here. But It's not a high end pre, of course. You can download manuals at www.behringer.com. I also have diagrams of measurements that German Keyboards Magazine made. If you're interested and know how to read them, you can send me a personal message with your email.

 

[Student]

Well, things are moving fast sometimes. Some replies to my e-mails have come in.
For those who are interested:

It costs me $72.85 to ship a unit of the vbt-1 to Europe, so around $250 (or Euro) plus a couple of signatures and photocopy of credit card and passport it can be arranged by one company. That could be scanned and sent by e-mail.

A company in Holland sells for 315,20 excl. BTW (=VAT), plus shipping if outside Holland.

I also got the name of a dealer around where I live that I want to check out tomorrow.

And as I don't have real professional equipment to play with, although pretty good, I can probably live with the not perfect noise floor for a while. Like it has been said before: We are home recordists. I take your word for it Rossi, I don't have the means for pro stuff. But thanks for the offer.

I am going out now, playing a few songs at an Open Mike, see you tomorrow.

S.

 

[Student]

Update

Just got another European price for the vbt-1 of €$359 incl VAT.

That is €100 more than getting it from the US.
For that big difference I can afford to think about it a bit longer: "... Do I really need it now?".

I am waiting for another answer before making up my mind.

Student
Still studying the issue, but first going for a pint.

 

[Rossi]

Yeah, the European distributors' prices are insane. I told Alan about that in another thread. He replied that a B1 for instance, which retails for about USD 79-89 + VAT should be about the equivalent of USD 99 in Europe according to his calculations. The actual price, however, is EUR 150. And the rest of the SP product line is even more out of proportion, usually more than twice the US price.

About your US order: I think you'll have to pay import taxes. In Germany I think it's about 16 percent, i.e. the usual VAT.

You might want to take a look at www.musicians-gear.com. They're Germany based and ship internationally. Their prices on SP are a bit better than elsewhere. I've never ordered from them, though, nor anybody I know. So I don't know if they're okay. All I know is their website.

My favorite approach is still to fly to NY once a year and buy some stuff

 

[Student]

My last source has not answered (yet), and I think that getting the SP VTB-1 from the US is not a good option, as, like you mention, the VAT will bring it close to the local dealer price.

In the meantime I have been looking at other Behringer stuff: TUBE COMPOSER® T1952 (€233 at Thomann).
Now, this is a compressor with tube warmth. Will it do a similar job as a pre-amp, or are they really two different animals?

I mean: compressing/limiting the signal going in using a 'warm' compressor will make the signal stronger going in, also more up front?
I guess what I mean is: What do a pre-amp AND a compressor do differently? Do I need both?

It is important for me to 'bring my recording to a next level'. Would a tube compressor alone do that too?
I record into a C-Port.

Thanks.
S.

 

[Student]

No need to answer the last question: I am looking for a pre-amp. Let's not confuse the issue, and go back in time.
I guess I was a little p'd off by the high prices dealers ask.

But then again: doing what you can within your means, and within the possibilities of where you are, and with the material you have, that is an art too. I'll get that 'prize piece' another time.

The T1953 will do very well for the moment.
Thanks for all your help in making up my mind.

Student.
Sometimes you can study too much...

 

[Student]

T1953

Just to update this thread: I got the T1953 Behringer pre-amp, and I am a happy man. No noise problem, and my recordings sound a lot more pro.
Obviously I cannot compare to whatever else is out there, this is my first pre-amp. But now I know why I should have gotten one a long time ago.
I use it with my Terratec 24.96 soundcard. Straight, or with warmth, both sound very good. As I work mostly with acoustic guitar and vocals (harmonies) it makes a big difference in overall sound.

Thanks for evryone's help.

Student